We’ve reported news about the revolutionary Hyperloop transport network before and love the idea of zipping around the region in futuristic tubes.
Now, thanks to breaking news from the Middle East Rail conference held in Dubai this week, it seems we’re a step closer.
Hyperloop One has released new photos of a development site for the technology that would cut the Dubai Airport to Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi journey time to just 12 minutes.
The new photos show the full-scale test site in the Nevada Desert, USA.
They also look really cool.
The 500m long test zone is expected to stage a public trial within the next few months and if successful lays the groundwork for transforming international transport in the Middle East.
“While technology is revolutionizing many facets of our lives, we have not seen a radical change in transportation since the Wright brothers introduced air travel over 100 years ago,” said Rob Lloyd, CEO of Hyperloop One. “Tying together the Middle East region would produce greater virtual density, without congestion and pollution, spurring innovation, productivity, job growth and more powerful sharing of knowledge, labour and investment. Building a Hyperloop would vastly impact the economy and make any major city in the GCC accessible within one hour.”
Hyperloop officials have previously reported that the introduction of a Hyperloop system to the UAE would create a pan-urban area with Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain all within a 30minute reach. They also claim Hyperloop has a higher standard of safety than a passenger jet, close to half the construction and lower maintenance costs than high-speed rail and energy usage that is similar to a bicycle per kilogram-kilometer.
Hyperloop One estimates that around 4,000 vehicles travel every day between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with traffic congestion in Dubai costing the economy $800 million in lost working hours. Reducing this commute to 12 minutes opens a whole new realm of options, and Hyperloop One shows an investment in a UAE Hyperloop network could unlock economic value 3.5 to 4 times over high speed rail.
